I was having a conversation with a member of the praise band at my church this past Sunday while we were setting the platform for the second service. I was saying how disappointing it is when believers are told that, based on the Bible, there are areas of concern in their lives. But because they want to keep doing it, they say something like this: “Well, I know it’s wrong, but…”
That’s when I said it: “Your BUT is sin.”
We laughed about it at first. But then I got to thinking: anytime we are confronted with the truth of the holy, infallible Word of God and our lives are being lived contrary to the teaching of the Scripture, we have no defense or excuse to continue in said behavior. In other words, whatever we have to say that follows the word “but” in the scenario above is a defense of sin and needs to be reconciled.
You often hear Christians say, “God said it; I believe it; that settles it.” Well, the fact is that it doesn’t much matter whether or not we believe it. If God says it, THAT SETTLES IT. And the same goes for sin. Sin is not up for debate. The Bible is not Wikipedia: we can’t submit revisions.
The Bible says that we are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers (James 1:22-25). When confronted with sin in our lives, we have no defense. The only way to a close relationship with God is to do business with Him as soon as we are aware of behaviors that are contrary to His Word. Our preferences, opinions, habits, predispositions, and misconceptions don’t mean a thing if they don’t stand up to the scrutiny of the inspired Word of God.
This is why it is so important to be in the Word on a consistent basis. We can’t know what God says if we don’t know His Word. That is also why preachers of the Gospel have to be steadfast in proclaiming what the Bible says, unashamed and unafraid.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. Psalm 119:5-6
Not a Camouflaged Soul 